Creaturely Forms in Contemporary Literature: Narrating the War Against Animals

Dominic Okey's book Creaturely Forms in Contemporary Literature argues that literary form can help us rethink human-animal relations and challenge human supremacy. He suggests that deep attention to literary form can enable us to craft alternative, creaturely forms of relation and presents examples from W. G. Sebald, J. M. Coetzee, Mahasweta Devi, Arundhati Roy, and Richard Powers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

We are currently experiencing a global crisis that has profound implications for the planet and its inhabitants. This crisis is characterized by the mass production and consumption of certain animals, which is made possible by the mass extinction of many others. The role of literature in responding to this war against animals is a topic of significant interest and importance.

Literary criticism can play a crucial role in reading for animals. By analyzing the ways in which literature represents and interacts with animals, critics can shed light on the ways in which human-animal relations are constructed and perpetuated. Through close readings of texts, critics can identify the ways in which animals are portrayed as objects, subjects, or symbols, and the ways in which these portrayals contribute to the dominant narratives of human supremacy.

One of the key arguments put forth by Dominic Okey in his book Creaturely Forms in Contemporary Literature is that deep attention to literary form enables us to rethink human-animal relations. Okey explores this argument through chapters on W. G. Sebald, J. M. Coetzee, and Mahasweta Devi, as well as close readings of works by Arundhati Roy and Richard Powers. Through these examples, Okey demonstrates how literary forms can unsettle the fictions of human supremacy and craft alternative, creaturely forms of relation.

One of the ways in which literature can challenge the narratives of human supremacy is by presenting animals as subjects rather than objects. This is particularly evident in the works of W. G. Sebald, who is known for his exploration of the relationship between humans and animals. In his novel The Rings of Saturn, for example, Sebald presents animals as characters with their own desires, emotions, and experiences. By doing so, Sebald challenges the notion that animals are merely resources for human use and instead presents them as beings with their own agency and autonomy.

Similarly, J. M. Coetzee's novel Disgrace presents animals as both victims and perpetrators of violence. Through the character of Lucy, a white woman who rapes a black man and then kills his daughter, Coetzee explores the ways in which human-animal relations are shaped by power and privilege. By presenting animals as both victims and perpetrators of violence, Coetzee challenges the notion that humans are the only beings with moral agency and instead presents a more complex and nuanced understanding of the world.

Mahasweta Devi's novel The God of Small Things presents animals as both symbols and agents of change. Through the character of Arundhati Roy, a young woman who grows up in India and then moves to the United States, Devi explores the ways in which colonialism and globalization have impacted the lives of animals and the environment. By presenting animals as both symbols and agents of change, Devi challenges the notion that humans are the only beings with the power to shape the world and instead presents a more inclusive and interconnected understanding of the world.

In addition to these examples, literary criticism can also be used to explore the ways in which animals are portrayed as objects or symbols. For example, Richard Powers's novel The Time of the Tribes presents animals as symbols of cultural identity and tradition. By presenting animals as symbols of cultural identity and tradition, Powers challenges the notion that animals are merely resources for human use and instead presents them as beings with their own cultural significance and value.

Overall, the role of literature in responding to the war against
the war against
against animals is a complex and multifaceted one. By analyzing the ways in which literature represents and interacts with animals, literary criticism can shed light on the ways in which human-animal relations are constructed and perpetuated. Through close readings of texts, critics can identify the ways in which animals are portrayed as objects, subjects, or symbols, and the ways in which these portrayals contribute to the dominant narratives of human supremacy. By presenting animals as subjects rather than objects, presenting animals as both victims and perpetrators of violence, presenting animals as symbols and agents of change, and presenting animals as symbols of cultural identity and tradition, literature can challenge the narratives of human supremacy and craft alternative, creaturely forms of relation.

In conclusion, the war against human-animal relations are a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a multifaceted response. By analyzing the ways in which literature represents and interacts with animals, literary criticism can play a crucial role in challenging the narratives of human supremacy and crafting alternative, creaturely forms of relation. Through close readings of texts, critics can identify the ways in which animals are portrayed as objects, subjects, or symbols, and the ways in which these portrayals contribute to the dominant narratives of human supremacy. By presenting animals as subjects rather than objects, presenting animals as both victims and perpetrators of violence, presenting animals as symbols and agents of change, and presenting animals as symbols of cultural identity and tradition, literature can challenge the narratives of human supremacy and craft alternative, creaturely forms of relation. It is important to note that this is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted response, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to approach this issue with an open mind and a willingness to consider different perspectives and approaches. By working together approach this issue with an open mind and a willingness to consider different perspectives and approaches, we can create a more just and equitable world for all creatures, human and non-human.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350189676